Pandemonium broke out on Tuesday at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Amaku, Awka, following a deadly clash among security operatives stationed at the facility.

The incident occurred at the hospital’s security post and was reportedly triggered by a dispute over a mobile phone allegedly stolen by one of the operatives.

According to eyewitness accounts, the suspect demanded ₦4,000 from the phone’s owner as a condition for its return. However, after collecting the money, he allegedly refused to hand over the device, leading to a heated argument among the personnel.

The situation quickly escalated into violence, during which one of the operatives allegedly opened fire. One person was killed on the spot, while another sustained serious injuries and is currently receiving treatment at the hospital.

Sources further revealed that the assailants fled the scene in a Lexus RX 350 SUV, said to belong to their supervisor, after reportedly making away with pump-action rifles.

The body of the deceased has been deposited in the mortuary.

Police authorities later arrived at the scene and have since launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.